What is Herpes?
Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that lies dormant in many people. When active, it can manifest itself as cold sores around the mouth. On rare occasions, the virus affects the nervous system. It colonizes the deep temporal lobe, setting the emotional circuitry ablaze in a condition known as limbic encephalitis, which can cause aphasia as the disease spreads.
There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding herpes and the virus(es) that cause it. Namely, most people want to know whether or not oral herpes (cold sores) and genital herpes are the same thing.
Yes and no, as it turns out.
In order to quickly and efficiently clear up some of the common myths and inconsistencies surrounding the virus, here’s a short FAQ on all things HSV:
- What is herpes?
Herpes is a virus, plain and simple. The vast majority of the time it lies dormant in cell bodies in the oral and genital regions, but things like stress and illness (which suppress the immune system) can cause the virus to flare up, which produces the stereotypical sores and blisters.
- How many different types of herpes are there?
Generally speaking there are two kinds of herpes; HSV Type-1 and HSV Type-2. HSV-1 is by far the more common form of the virus, and is the one mostly responsible for the common cold sore (and is also the one that up to 90% of us are currently carrying).
HSV-2 is less common and is the one primarily responsible for breakouts in the genital region.
- Can HSV-1 cause genital herpes? And/or can HSV-2 cause oral herpes (cold sores)?
Yes – via oral sex, a person can easily get genital herpes from someone infected with oral herpes (HSV-1). Likewise, a person can also get oral herpes from someone with a genital (HSV-2) infection. (In fact, it’s estimated that up 50% of genital herpes cases arise from the HSV Type-1 virus).
However, for whatever reason the nature of the HSV-1 virus is much more suited to the oral “habitat,” and HSV-2 to the “genital habitat.” That is to say, if you get genital herpes from someone with oral HSV-1 (or vice-versa), the virus is unlikely to stay in the genital region – it will eventually “relocate” to the mouth region. The only way to know which form of the virus you have is to do a swab and have a laboratory type it.
- How long does herpes last? Does it ever go away?
Unfortunately, once you are infected with HSV you have it for life — there is no cure. However, the vast majority of the time the virus is in the latent stage, which means it lies completely dormant in cell bodies. This is why most people who have the virus aren’t even aware of it. When flare-ups do occur, they typically only last between 4-7 days.
Why does CBD work with Herpes?
As you’ve probably noticed, all forms of herpes medication acts as either an antiviral or an anti-inflammatory. CBD, coincidentally (or perhaps not coincidentally at all, depending on how you look at it) is both an antiviral and an anti-inflammatory – and a very, very good one at that.
When a herpes outbreak occurs (typically during an illness such as the cold or flu or during heightened periods of emotional stress, menstruation, or immune-suppression caused by other medications) what’s actually happening is the virus is actively attacking cell tissues in mucous membranes – this is why outbreaks most commonly occur in moist mucosal regions in the mouth and genital areas.
When the virus “attacks” surrounding tissue areas, the affected cells become severely damaged and immunoregulatory white blood cells are ushered in to combat the attack. All of this “molecular commotion” is what causes the pain, inflammation, and physical appearance of the stereotypical herpes sores and blisters.
CBD is a tailor-made remedy to combat both the inflammation and the immune response that’s triggered by active HSV outbreaks. As an anti-inflammatory, the cannabinoid has been recognized in dozens of scientific publications for its ability to directly fight off foreign pathogens (such as HSV), and initiate cell and tissue repair.
Likewise, CBD has been shown in numerous other studies to display excellent antiviral properties, with the University of London’s School of Pharmacy noting it’s “exceptional” activity in relation to its ability to fend off and effectively suppress foreign pathogens.
The cannabinoid functions by interacting with the endocannabinoid system, of which its receptors have been shown to exist in every single cell and tissue type in the human body. The primary role of the endocannabinoid system is to regulate and maintain internal homeostasis, and Dr. Dustin Sulak of the American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine has in fact gone so far as to call the endogenous network the “…most important physiologic system involved in establishing and maintaining human health.”
Treatment methods
One can simply Hempworx CBD Relief directly on a cold sore. Hempworx CBD products are made with full spectrum CBD from hemp. There is little to no THC and you can’t get high. Many people put a few drops of CBD oil under their tongue every day as a consistent form of preventative treatment.
You can order the world’s most pure CBD oil, get a sample pack to try, or even become an affiliate and create an extra income stream.
